Does WT use intellectual intimidation in publications?

by KateWild 58 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  KateWild

  But even educated, sophisticated persons fall prey to a very unfair and untrue type of propaganda. This type assumes a superior air of dismissal of an opponent's viewpoint, treating it as rather pathetic and really not worth attention. It is what many evolutionists resort to in order to evade questions that they cannot answer. They can't prove their theory. So they resort to making assertions, and they scoff at all who dare to dispute them.... They prove neither their assertions nor their smears, but by the tyranny of authority they pontificate their opinions, squelch objections and intimidate opposers. It works, and supposedly intelligent people who know nothing about the theory believe it because "all intelligent people believe it."....

  What About You?

  Awake 1978 Aug 27th

  I like this quote too. Because there are accusing others of using it, but in fact using it themselves. With the big question at the end WHAT ABOUT YOU? It's ironic really, WT are the ones that can't prove their theory, or doctrine.

  Kate xx
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  cassuk11

  according to the article

  the same techniques were used by the chinese during the Korean war whenver that was. The 8 criteria they used for mind control were

  Millieu control menaing controlling the communication within a group environment

  Mystical manipulation meaning the manipulation of experiences orchastrated by leaders to demonstrate divine authority

  Demand for Purity the induction of guilt and or shame

  The Cult of Confession to be used against someone

  Sacred Science The groups doctrine is considered sacred or the ultimate truth

  Loading the language interpreting words or phrases that may sound new and cant be understood by others outside and thought terminating cliches

  Doctrine over persons personal experience and understanding is forbidden and must be denie dby the group and individuals

  Dispensing of existence Meaning someone else has the power to decide who exists within that group
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  KateWild

  Good info cassuk.

  Superior air of dismissal of an opponent's viewpoint, treating it as rather pathetic and really not worth attention.= Intellectual intimidation

  I also like this a lot for a definition.

  Kate xx
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  ABibleStudent

  Hi KateWild, Is Steve Hassan's "unhealth inluence" the same as intellectual intimidation? According to Steve Hassan, unhealth influence is used to unduly influence people. How Big is the Phenomenon of Undue Influence? (2:01)

  Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

  Robert
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  cassuk11

  What is interesting isthe simialarities between religious organizations and the new world order.George Orwells book 1984 describes how society would be in the future. Is there a connection between the churches and the NWO where anything poses a threat to the order whether in the world or in any organization is stifled, shut out, stopped etc etc. Thus, the language of peoples and nations and groups is controlled to enable the dogma, ideology etc to be seen as the "Way"
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  cassuk11

  ANother way of seeing how the control is manifest. Is at the question and answers form the watchtower study, though i dont know if this still going on. You will notice all the questions are at the bottom of the page and any answers are a reptition of what has just been read and not anyones personal understanding. Could you imagine putting your hand up and saying i have a question. I once asked a JW if i was allowed to do this i would go to one of the meetings he emphatically said it would not be possible. So the whole thing is controlled form the outset to give the impression of unity
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  nonjwspouse

  Fink_-

  People with a semblance of intellectual evaluation can see through this crash commercialism by this religious publishing house.

  Unfortunately people with perhaps a weak intellectual mind set will no doubtably be drawn in to the WTS.

  publications and its selling presentation by the WTS's own sales representatives.

  I disagree. Intelligence isn't the factor here, it is the emotional need to be told the "answers ". The need to find a "truth" and to be mentally desperate for this enough to ignore the intellectual mind set when it comes to the "truth". They turn off their minds and become followers regardless of the level of intelligence.

  Granted there are more than a few lacking in the intellectual department. I feel many of those are born ins that were held back from forming a critical mind, whether intelligent or not. Others are the not so intelligent that found a place to " fit in" as long as they tow the party line. But there are, I believe, plenty of intelligent people who are emotionally/mentally caught up in something intelligance did not provide for them. An answer to the fears of death, or salvation from thier sins, or even a built in social network they may have a very hard time finding. They fall pray to promises that are appealing. Never grow old, paradise earth, stress and worry free.

  Just look at the high intelligence in some or many of the posters who have visited and postd in this site! Some are from people who followed the directives and never pursued any higher education.

  So I have to disagree strongly on this one. Intelligence and emotions are two very different things.

  ( Fink, I saw after wtiting this I didn't read the whole thread. You ultimatly agree with what I said, correct? Sorry about that)
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  Giordano

  I found this online during a discussion of intellectual intimidation:

  The perspective is both the intimidation from someone or feeling intimidated because one's depth of knowledge on a specific subject is not comparable to others say on this forum re evolution or precise scripture. Two subjects I avoid in general because of a lack of interest and/or enough knowledge to participate comfortably.

  http://www.typologycentral.com/forums/philosophy-and-spirituality/2271-intellectual-intimidation.html

  "It is a very interesting question, but the reason why someone might avoid debate range far and wide, depending on personality and past trauma. (For example, fear of being rejected, fear of being found out to be stupid, fear of having one's viewpoint be shown to be false, fear of having to consider an alternate point of view honestly, and so on...)
  
  Many people go through fear of debate. It's not easy. Sometimes even you do not think a particular conversation will be bothersome, after you enter it, you discover that part of you feels emotionally unsettled about the whole thing and you observe yourself acting in testy or pointed ways unexpectedly.
  
  I think the bottom lines are:
  1. Not attaching your self-worth/respect to your knowledge or always having to be correct in every situation. (There is no shame in not being omniscient. There is only shame, to me, in being unwilling to admit when you could be wrong and not learning from someone else.)
  2. Trusting that other people can detach their own personal acceptance of you from the debates you might have with them.
  3. Faith/confidence in your own value as a person, so it no longer matters how others perceive you or what mistakes you might make."
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  nonjwspouse

  Kate I do see the continual attempt to undermine anyones belief in their own intellegence. I see the half-quoted claims of 'educated scholars" used to further agenda, while at the same time berating education. "Educated scholoars" causes the reader to immediatly put more importance to what the WT says than their own minds. Keeping the congregation from feeding their intelligence enough to recognise the importance of critical thinking of the WT claims, is crucial.

  Keeping the congregation ignorant is crucial for the WT to continue. The internet has been a thorn in their side/their plans. Those historical facts are disowned by the WT as they desperatly try to discredit. But it is a snowball that continues to grow. They can not rest. The WT must quickly act. They were sleeping, but now I see them getting desperate. It's been very interesting to watch the progress of the desperation.
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  snowbird

  Yes, the WT was caught sleeping and are desperately trying to catch up with all the changes that happened during their slumber.

  Tee hee hee.